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Microlesson · 5-min read

Cash Flow Statement – Non-Operating and Non-Cash Adjustments in Operating Activities

## Non-Operating & Non-Cash Adjustments in Operating Activities

The indirect method starts with PBT (which includes both operating and non-operating items). Adjustments are needed to isolate operating cash flows.

### Category 1: Non-Cash Items → Add Back

These reduced profit but involved no cash outflow:

ItemDirectionReason
DepreciationAddNon-cash charge
Amortisation of discount on debenturesAddNon-cash charge
Goodwill/intangible amortisationAddNon-cash charge
Loss on sale of assetsAddNon-operating loss booked in P&L

### Category 2: Non-Operating Items → Remove from Operations

These will appear in investing or financing sections:

ItemDirectionReclassified To
Profit on sale of assets/investmentsDeductInvesting activities
Interest incomeDeductInvesting activities
Dividend incomeDeductInvesting activities
Interest expenseAdd backFinancing activities
Capital grant amortised in P&LDeductFinancing/Investing activities

### Critical Rule: P&L Amount ≠ Actual Cash

When the amount booked in P&L differs from the actual cash received/paid:

1. Reverse the P&L amount from operating activities (add or deduct as appropriate)

2. Show actual cash in investing or financing activities

Example: Dividend received — P&L shows ₹10 (accrual basis), but cash actually received = ₹18

  • Deduct ₹10 from operating (reversing the non-operating income booked in P&L)
  • Show ₹18 under investing activities as cash actually received

Example: Interest paid — P&L shows ₹12,000 accrued, but actual cash paid = ₹13,042

  • Add back ₹12,000 to operating (reversing the non-operating expense)
  • Show ₹13,042 under financing activities as actual interest paid

Worked example

### Example 1

Question LDR – Operating Activities Section:

PBT: ₹36,000

+ Loss on sale of PPE: ₹48 (non-operating loss, add back)

+ Depreciation: ₹24,000 (non-cash)

− Capital Grant amortised in P&L: ₹10 (non-cash income, deduct)

− Profit on sale of investments: ₹120 (non-operating gain, deduct)

− Interest income: ₹3,000 (investing activity, deduct)

+ Interest expense: ₹12,000 (financing activity, add back)

± Changes in Working Capital: ₹67,290 (net)

− Income Tax Paid: ₹5,100

= CF from Operating Activities: ₹34,727 (approx.)

Note: Actual interest paid = ₹13,042 (not ₹12,000) → the difference is because ₹12,000 was accrued but ₹13,042 was the actual cash outflow. Show ₹13,042 under financing activities.

### Example 2

Question 3 – Operating Activities (Larger Question):

PBT: ₹30,00,000

+ Depreciation: ₹7,50,000

+ Discount on issue of debentures (amortised): ₹45,000

+ Interest expense on debentures: ₹5,25,000

− Profit on sale of investments: ₹30,000

− Interest received on investments: ₹90,000

± Working Capital Changes (net): refer WC section

− Income Tax Paid: ₹15,75,000

= CF from Operations before Extraordinary Items: ₹24,66,000

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Adding back profit on sale of assets instead of deducting it (profit = income that inflated PBT, so it must be deducted to remove non-operating income).
  • Deducting loss on sale instead of adding it back (loss reduced PBT, so add it back to reverse the reduction).
  • Treating interest income as operating (it is investing) and interest expense as operating (it is financing under AS 3).
  • Using the P&L accrual amount for investing/financing activities instead of the actual cash amount when they differ.
  • Forgetting to reverse capital grant amortisation from operating activities when the capital grant receipt is shown in investing/financing activities.
Bare-Act text Para 19 · AS 3 – Cash Flow Statements (ICAI) · click to expand
An enterprise reports cash flows from operating activities using either the direct method or the indirect method. Under the indirect method, net profit or loss is adjusted for the effects of: (a) transactions of a non-cash nature; (b) any deferrals or accruals of past or future operating cash receipts or payments; and (c) items of income or expense associated with investing or financing cash flows.
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